Aqueous Cleaning Composition Stabilizing Hydrogen Peroxide
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Solution Overview
Problem
Storage stability of hydrogen peroxide-based cleaning compositions is a challenge due to decomposition over time, requiring compensation with excess amounts and additional stabilizing measures, while maintaining disinfection efficacy and avoiding damage to delicate surfaces.
Innovation Solution
An acidic liquid aqueous cleaning composition comprising 0.05 to 1.5 wt% quaternary ammonium compounds, 0.5 to 4 wt% hydrogen peroxide, and 0.25 to 2.5 wt% organic acid with a pKa of 1 to 5.5, maintaining a pH of 2 to 5 and viscosity of 1 to 1000 mPa.s, which enhances stability and disinfection without anionic surfactants.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If hydrogen peroxide is used as a disinfecting agent, then a milder alternative to hypochlorite is provided, but storage stability deteriorates due to decomposition over time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent adjusts the pH parameter to an acidic range (pH 2-5) to stabilize hydrogen peroxide and prevent decomposition. This parameter change allows the formulation to maintain adequate hydrogen peroxide levels over time while preserving the mild disinfecting properties.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite cleaning composition combining hydrogen peroxide with quaternary ammonium compounds and organic acids. This composite formulation provides both storage stability through the acidic environment and broad-spectrum disinfection through the synergistic combination of active ingredients.
2Reliability
If adequate disinfection is provided by hydrogen peroxide, then mild disinfection is achieved, but storage stability worsens requiring overdose compensation
Solution Approach 1:
By controlling the pH parameter in the acidic range, the patent reduces hydrogen peroxide decomposition, allowing adequate disinfection efficacy to be maintained with lower, more stable concentrations of hydrogen peroxide over the product shelf life.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges hydrogen peroxide with quaternary ammonium compounds to achieve broad-spectrum disinfection. This combination allows each ingredient to contribute to overall efficacy, reducing the need to overdose hydrogen peroxide to compensate for decomposition.
3Reliability
If quaternary ammonium compounds are added to improve broad spectrum disinfection, then disinfection efficacy is enhanced, but formulation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The acidic organic acid component serves multiple functions: it stabilizes hydrogen peroxide through pH control, provides some disinfection activity itself, and creates an environment that enhances the efficacy of quaternary ammonium compounds. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional stabilizing agents.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines multiple disinfecting agents (hydrogen peroxide, quaternary ammonium compounds, and organic acids) into a single unified formulation that provides broad-spectrum disinfection through synergistic interaction, simplifying the overall product while enhancing efficacy.
4Productivity
If acidic pH is used to address hard water stains, then cleaning performance is improved, but hydrogen peroxide stability worsens due to increased decomposition
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the pH parameter to a specific acidic range (pH 2-5) that balances two competing requirements: acidic enough to effectively remove hard water stains but not so acidic as to cause rapid hydrogen peroxide decomposition. This precise parameter control resolves the contradiction.
Solution Approach 2:
The use of organic acids (such as citric acid) instead of strong inorganic acids provides a milder acidic environment that is effective for stain removal while being less aggressive toward hydrogen peroxide stability, creating a more balanced formulation.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The composition provides stable disinfection over time without compromising performance or storage stability, ensuring effective cleaning without damaging surfaces.
Implementation Method 1
hydrogen peroxide has the risk of damaging delicate surfaces as it is a strong oxidizer
Implementation Method 2
Hydrogen peroxide is not always storage stable and may (at least in part) decompose over time upon storage
Implementation Method 3
A common understanding is that hydrogen peroxide stability in acidic aqueous compositions increases as the pH goes down
Implementation Method 4
Quaternary ammonium compounds are known for such use in said compositions
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates a liquid aqueous cleaning composition comprising quaternary ammonium compound, hydrogen peroxide and organic acid having a pKa of from 1 to 5.5. The composition has a pH of 2 to 5 and a viscosity at 25°C of 1 to 1000 mPa.s @ 20 s-1 and the composition is free of anionic surfactant.